Sun, sangria, and student loans: Where each Bristol accommodation would summer

From Lake Como to Lisbon, we’ve matched Bristol’s most iconic accommodations with their spiritual holiday destinations. Whether chaotic or classy, Bristol students’ summers are always iconic.

Wills Hall 

Wills residents don’t just go on holiday- they retreat. What better place to do this than the Italian dreamland of Lake Como? Picture linen shirts in the breeze, overpriced Sassella clutched in hand, and the charming family boat harboured off the lakeside. These classy residents would be spotted lounging, pretending to read the ultimate summer book, Call Me by Your Name (purely for the aesthetic, of course). It all culminates in a carefully curated photo dump titled “the simple life”, featuring soft lighting, expensive sunglasses, and a tragic lack of sunscreen—effortless, curated chaos.

Churchill 

Wills’ classy yet chaotic sister, Churchill, is all about last-minute, but make it iconic. Sure, they claim this Marbella trip was planned months ago, but the group chat didn’t come alive until 48 hours before departure. They forgot suncream existed, yet still managed to end up in a lush Airbnb in Marbella with a rooftop pool and bottomless sangria. A mix of messy nightlife and unrivalled tans – Churchill students do spontaneity right.

Hiatt Baker   

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Hiatt Baker is Bristol’s undisputed HQ of chaos, so naturally, their summer escape is none other than Ayia Napa. The ultimate feral destination for Bristol’s most chaotic hall. They’ve exhausted Magaluf and look to another playground for their invasion. As on their own turf, getting a terrible tattoo is a rite of passage, and hangovers don’t exist if you keep drinking, right?

University Hall 

Hosting all the pros of being in the North Village minus the soul-crushing rent, Uni Halls would be summering in Albufeira. Cheap, cheerful, and just chaotic enough, it’s the ideal spot for students chasing both serotonin and a tan. Think sprawling gorgeous beaches to distract from the slightly dilapidated aesthetic of their digs back in Bristol, affordable drinks and just enough nightlife to forget they’re sharing a kitchen with five strangers. It’s not glamorous, but it is character-building. 

Goldney Hall  

Goldney students spend the year pretending they live on the set of Bridgerton, so where else would these fairytale chasing, gorp core wannabes flock but the Lake District? Family hikes are immediately recorded on STRAVA with a mix of artisanal picnics unpacked on gingham blankets, and blurry film photos of lakes that scream “reconnecting with nature”.  

Orchard Heights and Unite House  

Located just a stone’s throw from the city centre, these residents are no strangers to leg day, battling the treacherous ascent of Orchard Steps or the Everest that is Park Street just to make a 9am. Trading Bristol’s hills for Lisbon’s, the city’s electric energy mirrors the chaos of Cabot Circus on a Saturday, only with more wine and fewer screaming teens. Days are spent in overpriced coffee shops and rooftop bars, soaking in just enough culture to feign some sophistication and pretend it’s not just a glorified Euro trip.